JP2001522204A - Dual-mode digital camera for video and steal operation - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A cost-effective digital image capture device, such as a digital camera (100) operating in both steal mode and video mode, using a common programmable image processing chain and fixed optics. The full resolution of the image sensor (114, producing raw image data) can be used in steel mode, and an appropriate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is achieved with natural light or an auxiliary light supplied from a strobe (112). In video mode, the apparatus can be configured to capture video image data by programming parameters of the image processing method such as scaling, decorrelation, and encoding into a look-up table (LUT), and then the LUT Configure the logic to spatially compress and compress the raw image data as needed to satisfy the video image storage and transmission bandwidth constraints. In the video mode, averaging the pixels during scaling can achieve an appropriate SNR despite low light conditions encountered, for example, during a video conference.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND The present invention relates generally to electronic image processing, and more particularly, to digital cameras.

[0002] Digital cameras have recently been developed as portable systems for capturing and storing digital still images in electronic form. Images can be used in a number of different ways, such as in the form of "electronic" photo albums or used to decorate graphical computer applications. Digital cameras have a user interface similar to conventional chemical film cameras, but the images are captured and stored entirely using electronic solid state circuitry and image processing techniques.

A typical digital camera has an image sensor that receives incident light reflected from a subject or scene via an optical interface. The optical interface will include a lens system, aperture mechanism, and possibly an optical filter. The sensors are typically implemented as an array of charge coupled devices (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) photodetection circuits that generate a photogenerated signal in response to incident light. The analog signal from the sensor is converted to digital form by an analog / digital (A / D) converter and then processed by logic and / or a programmed processor to produce a captured digital image of the subject or scene. This image can then be stored in local memory built into the camera. Further, the images can be transferred to a computer linked to a digital camera and stored as an electronic file, and / or can be subjected to further graphical image processing to enhance image quality or be used in graphics software.

[0004] Most purchasers of digital cameras access desktop computers to display still images. Therefore, such purchasers may use their digital camera to enjoy communicating with another person, such as having a video conference on a desktop computer so that they can hear and hear the face of another person. There is also. However, most digital cameras are typically configured to provide only still images. Similarly, cameras used for video conferencing do not operate as steel cameras when disconnected from the computer. Therefore,
A digital camera capable of "double use" of the camera for both video and still image capture where the camera can be linked to a desktop computer for video
Cameras and corresponding image processing are required.

Overview The present invention provides at least two modes for generating video and still images:
A first mode of processing image sensor signals according to a first choice of signal processing method to obtain still image data, and a video image processing of the same image sensor signals according to a second choice of signal processing method. A method is provided for configuring a signal processing system that operates in one of a second mode of obtaining data.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a signal processing method includes image scaling, decorrelation, and entropy encoding performed sequentially to generate video or steel data from the same original image data. . The first choice of scaling, decorrelation, and entropy coding is designed to provide video data, while the second choice is typically a larger and more detailed steel image than the video image Is designed to provide. In a preferred embodiment, the system generates video or steel data depending on parameters loaded into a look-up table (LUT) used to implement logic to perform image decorrelation and entropy coding. .

[0007] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings, detailed description, and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As outlined above, the present invention operates in at least two modes of providing a still image and a video image via the same signal processing system, thereby separating the still image and the video camera. The present invention is directed to a signal processing method in a system and apparatus for reducing the cost of a consumer who purchases a product. In one embodiment, the signal processing system performs the digital image processing operations in a chain fashion to provide video data and steel data from the same detailed original image sensor signal. The original image sensor signal is digitized and created to be spatially scaled, then decorrelated and encoded into compressed data. Different image processing operations can be performed in reprogrammable logic accessible through a computer bus, or by programming a sophisticated data processor to perform operations in software.

For clarity, certain embodiments are described below to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that, upon reading the present disclosure, the present invention may be practiced without such specific embodiments. In other instances, well-known elements, devices, processing steps, and the like have not been described in detail so as to not obscure the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a video and steel processing block 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a logical block diagram of a digital image capture device 100, such as a digital camera having a zero. Apparatus 100 includes an optical interface having a lens system 104 and an aperture 108 that are exposed to incident light reflected from a subject 102 whose images are to be captured. The device 100 is capable of capturing a subject 102 when the device 100 operates under low light conditions.
It may also include a strobe and an electronic flash to generate auxiliary light to further illuminate the camera.

[0011] Lens system 104 preferably has a fixed focus lens that is acceptable for both video and still motion. This is because a reduction in the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the optical interface (and thus a decrease in image quality) for close-range subjects (such as the user's face during a video conference) is acceptable in video mode. The optical interface has an aperture mechanism 108 for controlling the amount of light to the sensor and the depth of field, and can be configured for both video operation and still operation with only the following two settings.

The optical interface directs incident light to the electronic image sensor 114. Image sensor 114 has a number of pixels that are electrically responsive to the intensity and color of the incident light. Sensor 114 generates a signal representing the captured image having a resolution that is acceptable for a still image. An A / D converter (not shown) that receives an analog sensor signal generated from the light is included in the sensor 114 to provide a digital signal for conditioning a digital image of the exposed subject 102 and the accompanying scene.
A sensor signal can be generated. Alternatively, sensor 114 sends analog signals to block 110, which then performs analog signal processing on these signals before converting them to digital form. In either scenario, the digitized sensor signal thus determines the image data. The image data is processed by a video and steel block 110 according to an image processing method to form a steel image or to expose an exposed subject or scene, depending on whether a steel mode or a video mode is selected. Form a sequence of video images showing motion.

The mode selection is made by a user of the device 100 via a mechanical knob (not shown) of the device 100. Mechanical knob settings are received at the local user interface 158 and converted into control signals and data that are processed by the stream controller 160. Alternatively, device 100 may be connected to a host computer, such as a personal computer (PC), via host / PC communication interface 154. The user can then perform the mode selection via software running on the host, and the host transmits the appropriate control signals and data to the system controller 160 via the host / PC interface 154.

The system controller 160 organizes video and still image capture in response to the mode selection made by the user as described above. System control unit 1
60 constitutes the video and steal processing block 110 to provide steal image data or video image data indicative of a sequence of video image frames. The image is then stored inside the device 100 and / or transferred to a host / PC for decompression (if the image was compressed), rendered, and / or
Or displayed.

The image capture device 100 includes a local storage device 122 for receiving and storing still image data. Local storage 122 may include FLASH semiconductor memory and / or rotating media devices. FLASH memory is Intel (
It may be removable, such as a registered trademark Miniature Card.
The rotating media may be a magnetic disk or other type suitable for storing image data files.

Image data can also be transferred outside the device 100 via the host / PC communication interface 154. The communication interface 154 transfers both still image and video image data to the host / PC according to the computer peripheral bus standard.
Can be configured to be forwarded to The bus standard used is, for example, the RS-232 serial interface, Universal Serial Bus (USB), or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394-1995.

As mentioned above, the device 100 operates in several modes, including a video mode, such as during a video conference, and a steal mode when taking pictures as with a conventional portable camera. Optically and electronically. From an optical point of view, a fixed focal length lens system 104, such as a fixed focal length lens system having an effective focal length of 10 mm, is preferred and used in both modes to reduce the cost of manufacturing an embodiment of the device. In video modes used in video conferencing and high frame rate applications to capture motion, an aperture of about f / 2 can be selected. The primary focus of this aperture setting is preferably about one meter with respect to the subject 102 and the depth of field relative to the background extends up to two meters.

In steal mode operation, steal images of acceptable quality for outdoor and indoor scenes can be captured. For indoor scenes, the light level may be as low as required by the strobe or auxiliary light generated by the electronic flash 112. For indoor scenes, one would normally select an aperture 108 between f / 2 and f / 8. Within this aperture, the primary focus is about 2 meters for the subject and the depth of field for the background extends to 4 meters. For outdoor photography with natural light, the primary focus is preferably about 2-3 meters relative to the subject, and the depth of field extends to infinity with respect to the background. Normally, one would choose an aperture of about f / 8 to achieve that focus.

Image capture device 100 can also be electronically configured for dual mode operation by so configuring video and steel processing block 110 that provides image data or a sequence of video images. In one embodiment, block 100 implements the digital signal and image processing functions as logic and / or a programmed processor to provide a predetermined resolution and resolution from detailed original image data received from sensor 114. Compressed image data having a compression ratio can be generated. Such a block 110 is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a logical block diagram of a portion of an image processing system 200 of a digital camera (or other image capture device) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a data flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention for the path image data follows in both video and steel mode operation. Processing block 110 includes a chain of image processing functions that can start from correction block 210. Correction block 21
0 is always used when the original image data received from the sensor 114 guarantees some pre-processing before scaling and compression of the image. In some cases, the correction block 210 performs pixel replacement on the original image data received from the image sensor,
Perform companding and gamma correction. The original image data must be of a resolution that can produce a still image of acceptable quality (eg, a spatial resolution of 768 × 576 or higher is preferred).

Pixel replacement can be performed in block 210 to replace invalid pixel data with valid data and provide deterministic input by subsequent image processing functions. Companding can be performed to reduce the resolution (bits per pixel) of each pixel. For example, the resolution at the time of receiving the original image data may be 10 bits / pixel, but the pixel resolution input to the logic circuit is preferably 8 bits (1 byte). Conventional gamma correction can be performed to adapt the information content of the image to what is expected by the host computer where the image is ultimately displayed.

Other functions that can be performed in block 210 for each received original image frame include pixel pattern noise reduction that is often required before image compression.
Again, in general, whether the correction function is performed in block 210
It depends on the quality of the original image data received from the sensor 114 and any subsequent image processing, such as any subsequent image scaling or compression, to be performed before the image data can be stored at any time or transmitted to the host computer.

Once the original image data has been corrected or otherwise processed to the desired size or format by correction block 210, the transmission and storage of host / PC communication interface 154 and local storage device 122 shown in FIG. If the requirements need to be met, the corrected data may be scaled and compressed accordingly. To satisfy such requirements, processing block 110 transmits and / or
Or, it may include scaling and compression logic 212 that performs any necessary image scaling and compression prior to storage.

For example, scaling and compression logic 212 may be configured to reduce image size and resolution to produce smaller, less detailed video images as compared to larger, more detailed steel images. Smaller and less detailed image data may be required to transmit a fast sequence of video images to be decompressed and displayed within the host / PC. However, if the transmission link between the device 100 and the host / PC has enough bandwidth to transmit the detailed original image data at the required rate to the host / PC, the scaling and compression logic 212 is used for both steal and video operations. It can be simplified or even eliminated.

Several processing functions are conceivable for the compression logic 212 as shown in FIG. 2 and described below. These functions and other functions that are functionally similar are described below when the optical interface is used in the device 100 as described below.
Can be configured by those skilled in the art according to desired performance (rendering speed of compressed image data) and image quality. The image processing function is, in one embodiment, implemented as a separate unit of logic, as shown in FIG. 2 and described below.

[0026] Scaling logic 214 performs two-dimensional spatial scaling of the corrected image data to generate smaller images that are easier to store or transmit. This scaling is performed according to the selected scaling factor using conventional and known techniques. The scaling factor may be an integer or a fraction. The scaling is, for example, 2
It can be performed in a two-dimensional format using two separate one-dimensional scaling processes.

The scaling logic 214 can be used for both video and still images simply by selecting an appropriate scaling factor. For example, 4: 1 subsampling of the corrected image data can be performed in a video mode to average one sixteen pixels of the corrected image data to produce one pixel in the scaled image data. Assuming an uncorrected noise source based on standard sampling theory, subsampling can improve the signal-to-noise ratio by up to $ 16, or four times. Lower scaling factors, such as 2: 1 can also be used. In this case, four pixels are averaged to produce one pixel in the scaled image data, and the signal to noise ratio (
SNR) is improved by a factor of two. By scaling the more detailed corrected image data in this manner while operating in the video mode, the system 200 compensates for the increased noise due to lower light levels typically encountered during video operation, such as during a video conference.

The next stage in the chain of image function blocks of FIG. 2 is the decorrelation and encoding block 222. The scaled image data received from the scaling logic 214 is decorrelated in preparation for entropy coding, one type of image compression, according to a selected one of several decorrelation methods. Again, the user can select a particular decorrelation method that is typically suitable for obtaining smaller sized video images.

The decorrelation function may generate an error image as an error between adjacent pixels. One specific method that can be used to decorrelate the image is digital pulse code modulation (DPCM). For example, in order to further compress the image data as needed when transmitting a large number of video image frames, the "loss" may be "quantized" using DPCM (the first set of data may be replaced with a smaller set of values). (Corresponding to the above) can be introduced in the form of an error.

The next stage in the chain of image functional blocks is entropy encoding by block 222, which compresses the decorrelated image data using entropy encoding techniques. For example, a commonly known available entropy coding method is Huffman coding. Entropy coding replaces the symbols in the decorrelated image data with bit strings, and different symbols are represented by different variable length binary strings,
Includes processing to ensure that the most commonly occurring symbols are represented by the shortest binary string. As a result, entropy coding logic 222 provides a scaled 8-bit
The present invention provides compressed image data as shown in FIG. 2 in which data is encoded into data having a variable size of 3 to 16 bits.

Also in this case, the encoding method for obtaining the video and the still image may be another method, which can be selected according to the operation mode. For example, a larger set of symbols (having a variable binary string length) can be used when encoding a still image as compared to video image data. This is because more time can be allocated to the host / PC to decompress the steel image than to decompress the video image. In contrast, when encoding a video image, a more limited set of symbols having a uniform binary string length is used to decompress a series of video image frames faster. There is a need. Further, having a uniform binary character string length allows the use of a fixed amount of bandwidth for transmitting image data that is particularly suitable for a host / PC such as a USB.

Image processing system 200 includes additional logic that facilitates the dual mode operation described above. In particular, the logic within blocks 210 and 212 provides flexibility in performing their respective image processing functions using a programmable look-up table (LUT) and a random access memory (RAM). Each LUT or RAM sends information to a respective image processing function specified by the method selected for the particular mode of operation. For example, scaling logic 214
The intermediate scaling operation is stored using the M storage area. Also, depending on whether a still image or a video image is desired, the LUT 234 that performs the decorrelation and encoding logic may include different rules and data needed to perform the decorrelation and encoding known in the art. Can be loaded. In one embodiment, LUT 234
Contains a look-up table that lists characters (a so-called "code book"
) And a look-up table that lists the string length.

Other techniques can be used to determine the appropriate values to load into RAM and LUT. For example, image metrics can be performed by the camera control unit 160 to determine lighting and other factors that affect decorrelation and entropy coding. Also, as mentioned above, especially during video operations where a large number of image frames are generated, transmission and storage constraints may have to increase the compression ratio, thus reducing the decompression and entropy coding. LUT
Will include a smaller code book for compression of the image data.

Although the different LUTs and RAMs described above can be implemented as part of a single physical RAM unit, or can be combined in different combinations as one or more RAM units, each LUT and RAM is preferably an image Implemented as physically separate units to speed up function performance.

Once the image data has been compressed according to the desired mode by the compression logic 212, the variable size data is passed to the data packing unit 226 where the data is of a fixed size, Thus, it is packed into more manageable data segments, making storage and transmission over the computer bus more efficient. Again, if the image data from the sensor 114 is well tolerated as such and there are no transmission or storage constraints on the data, then the sensor image data is of a fixed size and requires minimal processing by the device. The data packing unit is redundant because it can be easily stored or transmitted outside of the 100.

Within the data packing unit 226, different sized received data blocks are packed into blocks having a predefined constant size. For example, in the system 200 of FIG. 2, the data packing unit packs variable size compressed image data into 16 bit blocks. The 16-bit block is then sent to a data flow controller 238, such as a direct storage access (DMA) controller, which then adds address information to each data block before accessing bus 242. To send a 16-bit block on the bus. The memory controller 246 transmits a 16-bit
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) that receives a block and is built in the device 100
(Not shown) or the like.

After the still image data is packed, the local storage 122 (see FIG. 1) via a local storage interface 250 coupled to bus 242.
Can be transferred to For example, the local storage device 122 may be a removable FLASH memory card that receives image data created as a "file" including a compression table, a file header, a date and time stamp, and weighing information attached to the image data. . The card can then be removed from the device 100 and inserted into a PC, and the still image data can be transferred to perform decompression, display, and / or other processing within the PC.

Instead of using a removable storage device, both the still image and the video image can be transferred outside the device 100 using the host / PC communication controller 154. It is suitable for transmission of steel image data to be stored and accessed by a host computer (not shown) and transferred to the host computer using the particular bus standard used for communication interface 154. Achieved by creating it as a disk file. The video image data can be transmitted to the host computer via a controller interface such as a USB using known techniques.

The dual mode operation of the image capture device 100 and the processing system 200 has been described above with respect to the bus-based architecture shown in FIG. To further facilitate software control of different modes of operation in this architecture, several memory mapped control registers (not shown) may be coupled to bus 242 to allow system controller 160 to operate the device in the desired mode of operation. 100 and system 20
0 can be configured. LUT, RAM via bus 242 to program the parameters required for the appropriate image processing method for the selected mode of operation.
, And instructions executed by the system to access the control registers. For example, different rules and parameters of the scaling, decorrelation, and entropy coding methods in all modes of operation may be applied to the device 100 during manufacturing.
Can be stored as control device instructions embedded in the device. In this case, a different set of methods is assigned to each operation mode. The appropriate set can be loaded into the video and steel block 110 in response to a user selecting a mode performed via the local user interface 158 or the host / PC communication interface 154.

Although the presently preferred embodiment of the video and steel block 110 is logic, the image processing system 200 includes a programmed high performance processor that executes instructions to perform the digital image processing functions of the block 110. Can be prepared. Exemplary steps that can be performed by such a processor are shown in FIG.
And can be easily understood based on the above description of the correction block 210 and the compression logic 212 in the video and steel block 110 embodiment of FIG.
3 may be performed by the system controller 160 or by a separate dedicated processor (not shown) also coupled to the bus 242.

In summary, the above-described embodiments of the present invention include a steal mode (for capturing still images as a portable camera) and a video mode (where the digital camera is connected to a host computer or other computer via a peripheral bus interface). (Connected to an image display system). The camera has an image sensor and a video and steel processing block 110 configured to capture detailed images in steal mode for both outdoor and indoor scenes. In video mode, the camera
The same processing block 1 to capture a video sequence that can be sent to the host computer for display via the computer peripheral bus interface
10 to compress the sequence of detailed images (if required for transmission and storage).

It goes without saying that the above-described embodiment of the present invention is different in the structure and the embodiment. For example, while the image data path of processing block 110 is initially shown as being 8 bits wide and up to 16 bits when compressed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with other data path widths. . Also, the system controller 160
Can be integrated with a data flow controller 238 into one physical integrated circuit unit, such as a microcontroller. As described above, the scope of the present invention should be determined not by the illustrative embodiments but by the appended claims and their proper equivalents.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a logical block diagram of a digital image capture device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the architecture of a signal and image processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of signal processing steps performed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 22, 2000 (2000.8.22)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR , KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZW (72) Inventor Column, Curtis A United States 85224 Arizona Chandler West Maggio Way 23 -2065 No. 1570 (72) Inventor Booth, Lawrence A. Jr., United States, 85045, Phoenix, Arizona, 17th Avenue 17th Avenue, 15230 (72) Inventor, Acharya, Tink United States, 85283, Arizona, Te Nump South Roberts Road 7292 (72) Inventor Jones, Thomas Xy, Phoenix West Cave, 85045, Arizona, USA Down drive · 2409 F-term (reference) 5C022 AA12 AA13 AB12 AB15 AC42 AC54 5C059 LB03 MA01 ME02 PP01 PP04 SS07 SS14 SS26 UA38 UA39

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A signal processing circuit for converting a received image sensor signal into digital image data, wherein the processing circuit is configured to process the sensor signal according to a first set of a plurality of image processing methods. A first mode for providing video image data, and a second mode for providing still image data by configuring the processing circuitry to process the sensor signal according to a second set of image processing methods. An image processing system configurable to operate in one of a plurality of modes. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image processing methods include spatial scaling, decorrelation and entropy coding methods. 3. A processing circuit, wherein: scaling circuitry spatially scales image data associated with the sensor signal into scaled image data; and de-correlation de-correlates the scaled image data into de-correlated image data. 2. The image processing system of claim 1 including logic and entropy coding logic for compressing the decorrelated image data into variable size compressed image data. 4. A first set of image processing methods comprising: a first scaling method, a first decorrelation method, and a first encoding method; Logic is configured to decorrelate according to the first decorrelation method; scaling logic is configured to scale according to the first scaling method; and encoding logic is configured to compress according to the first encoding method. The image processing system according to claim 3. 5. The image processing system according to claim 4, further comprising an encoding look-up table (LUT) for providing information to encoding logic according to a specification of the first encoding method. 6. The digital image data is of a compressed variable size type, further comprising a data packing unit for packing the digital image data into packed image data having a predefined constant size. The image processing system according to claim 1. 7. A computer bus coupled to the encoding LUT, and coupled to the computer bus for loading information specified by the first encoding method into the encoding LUT in response to execution of the plurality of instructions. The image processing system according to claim 5, further comprising a control device unit configured to perform the control. 8. An apparatus for capturing a digital image, comprising: an optical interface exposed to incident light reflected from a subject from which the image is to be captured; and an image coupled to the optical interface for generating a sensor signal in response to the incident light. A sensor and digital signal and image processing (DSIP) means for generating compressed image data in response to receiving the sensor signal, wherein the DSIP means compresses the received image data into variable size compressed image data. And a packing unit for packing variable size compressed image data into fixed size packed image data, and providing the packed image data as video image data according to a first set of compression methods. 1 and a packed image data according to a second set of compression methods. DSIP means configurable to operate in one of a plurality of modes of a second mode for providing the still image data as steel image data; local storage means for receiving and storing the still image data; A communication interface configured to transfer to an electronic image display system separate from the device. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein in the first mode, the apparatus is further configured to transfer the still image data via the communication interface in a disk file format. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the local storage means includes a removable memory. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the communication interface is configured to transfer the packed data according to a serial bus standard. 12. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a strobe for generating auxiliary light to further illuminate a subject when the apparatus is operating in a first mode. 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the optical interface has a fixed effective focal length. 14. A first mode for obtaining compressed steel image data by compressing image data according to a first selection of a plurality of image processing methods, and compressing said image data according to a second selection of a plurality of image processing methods. Configuring the signal and image processing system to operate in one of at least two modes to generate video image and still image data. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of image processing methods include scaling and entropy coding methods. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the configuring step includes executing a plurality of instructions to compress the image data to obtain still image data. 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising packing the compressed video image data to obtain video image data having a fixed length. 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: packing the compressed steel image data to obtain packed steel image data having a fixed length; and storing the packed steel image data in a removable memory. The method described in.